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Cheraw High School

Cellphone Policy

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones must be off and inside the students' bookbags from the moment they enter the building until 2:50 p.m.

The South Carolina Board of Education adopted a model policy prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day on September 3, 2024. This new policy is effective, as of, January 1, 2025. 

Proviso 1.103 in the General Appropriations Bill, H.5100 of 2024, reads as follows:
To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.

Starting in January, students will not be allowed to have cell phones powered on in the building during any part of the instructional day. This includes lunch time and class transitions. Cell phones must be powered off and placed in lockers, purses, backpacks, or other nonvisible secure locations.  Additionally, headphones and earbuds are also prohibited unless specifically authorized for instructional purposes.

If a student is observed using or possessing a cell phone in violation of the school policy, the following procedures will be followed:

  1. The teacher will ask the student to surrender the cell phone.
  2. If the student complies, the teacher will hold the phone or turn it in to the main office.
  3. The student may retrieve the phone at the end of the school day.
  4. A discipline referral will be submitted in accordance with school procedures.
  5. If the student refuses to surrender the phone:
  6. The teacher will remind the student that refusing to surrender a cell phone is considered insubordination and carries a consequence of three (3) days of Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).
  7. The teacher will ask the student a second time to surrender the phone.
  8. If the student continues to refuse, the teacher will continue instruction and submit a discipline referral for Insubordination as soon as possible.
  9. If the student's behavior becomes disruptive:
  10. The teacher will continue instruction whenever possible.
  11. An administrator will be contacted to assist if the student's behavior disrupts the learning environment.

We are asking for your support with this policy. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the school office, and we will ensure your message is delivered. Likewise, if a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, they may come to the main office, and school personnel will assist them in making that contact.

  • Proviso 1.103 in the General Appropriations Bill, H.5100 of 2024, reads as follows:
    To receive state funds allocated for State Aid to Classrooms, a school district shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. For purposes of this provision, a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the Internet, wi-fi, or cellular telephone signals.

  • Starting in January, students will not be allowed to have cell phones powered on in the building during any part of the instructional day. This includes lunch time and class transitions. Cell phones must be powered off and placed in lockers, purses, backpacks, or other nonvisible secure locations.  Additionally, headphones and earbuds are also prohibited unless specifically authorized for instructional purposes.

  • If a student is observed using or possessing a cell phone in violation of the school policy, the following procedures will be followed:

    1. The teacher will ask the student to surrender the cell phone.
    2. If the student complies, the teacher will hold the phone or turn it in to the main office.
    3. The student may retrieve the phone at the end of the school day.
    4. A discipline referral will be submitted in accordance with school procedures.
    5. If the student refuses to surrender the phone:
    6. The teacher will remind the student that refusing to surrender a cell phone is considered insubordination and carries a consequence of three (3) days of Out-of-School Suspension (OSS).
    7. The teacher will ask the student a second time to surrender the phone.
    8. If the student continues to refuse, the teacher will continue instruction and submit a discipline referral for Insubordination as soon as possible.
    9. If the student's behavior becomes disruptive:
    10. The teacher will continue instruction whenever possible.
    11. An administrator will be contacted to assist if the student's behavior disrupts the learning environment.

  • We are asking for your support with this policy. If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call the school office, and we will ensure your message is delivered. Likewise, if a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, they may come to the main office, and school personnel will assist them in making that contact.